The next morning, I had awoken to the distinctive smell of bacon and eggs. Quickly sitting up, I noticed that I was still in my clothes from yesterday, and a throw blanket had been draped over the top of me as I laid on the couch. I stretched, popping my back as I got used to sitting up. I turned towards the kitchen as a figure was cooking at the stove. His charcoal hair was a mess, but he was more focused on cooking than anything else. Alex was in my kitchen and making breakfast.
"Good morning," I said, yawning, "What are you doing?"
"Good morning Elsie, I hope you don't mind, but I thought you might like some breakfast."
"But don't you have work?" I asked, padding towards him.
The salt and sand from the ocean clung to my skin and hair from yesterday, and I noted that I should probably take a shower before doing anything else.
"I am off on Mondays," Alex said, flipping an egg. "How do you like your eggs?"
"Medium well, but I think I should probably take a shower first." I stated, padding over to my room to grab an outfit.
Usually, I would change in my room, but since I have company, I think it would be best if I change in the bathroom. Closing the bathroom door behind me and locking it shut, I turn the faucet and let the water run. Stripping down, I let the water run over my hand before stepping into the tub and washing myself of the salt from yesterday. After my shower, I get dressed in a t-shirt and faded capri pants as I didn't feel like wearing a dress today. Exiting the bathroom, I found that Alex had made our plates and was sitting at the dining room table.
"You didn't have to make me breakfast," I said, sitting next to him at the table, "But thank you."
He grinned at me, taking a bite of his bacon, "You're welcome."
Cutting into the yoke with my fork, I smiled as the yellow began to pour out of the egg and onto my plate. After a few minutes of eating, we were abruptly interrupted by a loud bang from the front door.
"Elsie! Why haven't you answered any of my calls?" And as we turned around to face Nova, she stopped all motion and backed out of the house, shutting the door as she left.
No doubt, she will be waiting for Alex to leave so that she could bombard me with questions about the day before and this morning. After breakfast, we rinsed the dishes, and Alex left smiling at me as he shut the door behind him. I couldn't stop smiling as I watched him go; I couldn't help myself. I had never met a man quite like Alex, and this had possibly been the best three weeks of my life.
And then, that moment ended when Nova shook the house after slamming my front door open. Tabitha followed shortly after and shut the door.
"You have got to tell us everything!"
Reluctantly, I did. I told them about our movie date and how we held hands, and I told them about the elderly couple from the hardware store. I gushed about our afternoon at the beach and how I felt comfortable enough to fall asleep next to him
"Oh!" Nova exclaimed, nearly bursting with joy, "I'm so happy for you!'
"Oh, and by the way," Tabitha said, "I told our mom about you, and she says she wants you to come to Thanksgiving dinner."
"Thanksgiving? But, Alex and I aren't even a couple." Nova and Tabitha exchanged a knowing look and then smiled at me.
"Elsie, sweetie, here are some facts you may have missed," Tabitha started, "He made you breakfast. People who date don't usually fall asleep together and have breakfast the next morning."
"They also don't go to the hardware together to pick out furniture," Nova added. "And you are dating each other exclusively."
"You two are practically a couple; you just haven't labeled it yet." Tabitha commented.
"I don't know," I said, deep in thought, "What if you're wrong? What if it doesn't work out? What if he gets bored? What if it's all a facade?"
"Oh, sweetie!" Tabitha cooed, "Alex would never get bored of you. Elsie, he truly cares about you."
"I need a few days. I need to know it won't end in a disaster."
"Okay," Nova said, "But you're coming with us to my house."
"Why?" I asked, brow furrowed.
"You'll see." Tabitha said, grabbing my hand and pulling us out of the front door.
*
Nova and Josh's beach house was like every home on Fourteenth Street except that it was highly decorated. "What are we doing here?" I asked as we pulled up the driveway. "Please don't tell me you set us up on another date."
"Okay! We won't tell you." I laughed in spite of myself and exited the vehicle. Walking inside, I was immediately bombarded with a loud scream, "Surprise!"
And then I remembered it was my birthday. How could I forget my birthday? "Happy birthday Elsie." Alex and Josh said, holding up a tray of cupcakes.
"Oh, um, thanks." I said, unsure of what to say.
"Let's have some cake, and then you can open presents." Nova said excitedly.
"How long have you been planning this?" I asked, grabbing a cupcake from the tray.
"Since you came here! I know you hate surprises, but you need one every once in a while."
I nodded, peeling the wrapper from the cupcake and taking a few bites of it. After everyone had cupcakes, Tabitha and Nova rushed me to open presents, although I wasn't exactly sure why. Did those two have some master plan that had yet to see the light of day?
Grabbing a blue and white bag off the countertop, I slowly pull the tissue paper out and fish inside. Inside was a carefully wrapped seashell wind chime. I placed a hand to my mouth and smiled, "Oh, it's beautiful!"
"You're welcome." Josh said with a grin.
"Open mine, open mine!" Nova screamed, I looked over at her, an eyebrow raised as she thrust a box in my hand.
"Okay." The wrapping was a soft blue, and a large ribbon was set in the middle. Taking the bow off the box, I placed it gently on her shoulder and tore the wrapping paper off. Inside was a soft turquoise swim dress and sandals; it was absolutely gorgeous. "I love it. Thank you!"
"Here, I thought you would like it," Tabitha said, handing me a small jewelry box. Inside was a beautiful pearl bracelet, and I nearly cried. "you guys are insane! Thank you!"
"You're welcome," They all chimed, smiling at me. "Alex, you said you had something for Elsie."
"Yeah." He said, locking eyes with me as he came towards me: holding a lily and a card. Opening the card, I was confused to see that the card was empty. Looking back at him, he smiled, "No card can explain the way that I feel about you. I want to get to know you, Elsie. I want to have long walks on the beach. I want to listen to you rant about the importance of recycling. I want to learn everything about you because I am certain that you are the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with." He paused, holding my hands in his, "Do you, Elsie Andrews, feel the same way?" I sucked in a breath, feeling every emotion imaginable until he said it, " Will you be my girlfriend?"
There was no question, no hesitation as all of my fears seemed to disappear as I looked into his eyes. "Yes!" I exclaimed, pulling his lips to mine in an unexpected and memorable kiss.